Sri Lanka is likely to host the 2023 Asia Cup with Asian Cup Council (ACC) set to move the tournament which was to be hosted by the 2022 Finalists Pakistan. The decision to shift the venue from the original host country was always on the cards from the moment BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that the Indian Team would not travel across the border.
While Pakistan Cricket Board continues to show its willingness to host the tournament and proposed a hybrid model to host the Cup with India’s matches alone held in Dubai after BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan for the event citing a lack of clearance from the government.
However, the proposal has not been considered ideal with the tournament broadcasters also expressing concerns over it. Furthermore, given September is peak summer in the United Arab Emirates, the other boards were hesitant to play in the Gulf region a month before the 50-over World Cup. During a recent informal meeting of ACC members, it is understood that Oman offered to host the event, but given the circumstances, Sri Lanka was deemed an ideal venue.
With India finding support from the other member nations namely Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, for the move to the island nation, as well as teams not willing to risk their players a month before the 50-over World Cup the decision is all but a formality with ACC set to arrive at a final decision at the end of this month. In case Sri Lanka gets to stage the event, Dambulla and Pallekele could be the venues as Colombo usually witnesses the monsoon season in September.
Pakistan’s participation in the tournament is unclear as of now with reports indicating that it might boycott the event. It remains to be seen what effect it has on the upcoming World Cup. Reports coming out of Pakistan indicated that in case the Asia Cup is moved from the country, the PCB may not participate in the event. If they end up skipping that tournament, it will put a question mark on their participation in the World Cup too, which is set to be hosted by India in October-November.
